Thirteen-year-old Ehmet and his mother escape the shooting and meager supplies that is making life in Sarajevo miserable. They flee to the home of relatives in the country, but when this place also becomes unsafe, set out to walk through unknown territory to get to Ehmet's grandparents. The thirty-eight chapter book is a survival story chronicling the physical dangers and mental courage of a youth in a war-torn country.

Activities

Prereading Activity:
Find Sarajevo on the map of 1993 in the book. Find the border of Bosnia. What countries surround Bosnia?
Examine pictures of Sarajevo.

Read Chapter 1

Activity: Ehmet’s mother says that Bosnian’s are Croat, Muslim, Jew, and Serb. Make a four column chart with one of these labels at the top of each column. As characters are introduced in the story, enter the character in the appropriate column. Start by entering Ehmet’s father, Ehmet’s mother, Milan, Darko.

Read Chapter 2

Discuss:

Why does Ehmet take so few things with him?

How do you think Ehmet’s father was able to find the guide near the airport to help them?

How do you think the guide was able to find a driver to help them?

Who do you think were the shadowy figures in the tunnel who were going into Sarajevo when its citizens were fleeing from the city?

Why did Ehmet’s father think it was so important to stay in Sarajevo?

Prediction: Will life on the farm be different than what Ehmet experienced when visiting in other years?

Read Chapter 3

Discuss: Compare Ehmet's experience on the farm now with his experience on previous visits:
List things that are the same.
List things that are different.

Discuss: If groups in your neighborhood or city began fighting, how would you decide whether to leave your home or stay?

Prediction: What was the noise in the night that woke Ehmet?

Read Chapter 4

Discuss: Luci might have saved Ehmet’s life. Explain.

Prediction: Can Ehmet and his mother get to the meeting place?

Read Chapter 5

Activity: There are about 6-7 species of plane tree. The one found in southern Europe is Platanus orientalis. Describe this plane tree.

Activity: What constellations can you locate? Find Leo, Little Bear, and the North Star on a star chart. What is another name for Little Bear? What is another name for North Star? For further study, try making Star Finder or a Sky Wheel.

Prediction: Why is Ehmet’s mother crying?

Read Chapter 6

Activity: Start a list of the items that Ehmet picks up. As you continue to read, watch for how any of these is useful. Write the number of the chapter(s) where he uses an item, making a Found-and-Used chart.

Three techniques used by authors are simile, metaphor and alliteration. Is the "planet" reference on page 62 a simile, metaphor or alliteration. Explain.

Explain: "The sound crashed through the room and any illusions Ehmet had of being alone." Define illusion.

Prediction: Is this child the only person left in this village or will the child lead Ehmet to other villagers?

Read Chapter 12

Activity: Add the items Ehmet picks up to the Found/Used chart you started in chapter six.

Prediction: Will the boy be able to help Ehmet?

Read Chapter 13

Discuss: How did the old lady help Ehmet? How did Ali help Ehmet?

Discuss: We’ve seen that Serbs were destroying the homes of Muslims and killing them. Why do you think the Serbs allowed Ali to run away?

Prediction: The title of chapter 14 is "Mines". What do you think is the significance of this title?

Read Chapter 14

Activity: The author describes three kinds of mushrooms. Make a mushroom information chart with three columns. In the first column write the words: chanterelle; manita; shiltake. Research these mushrooms and match each description in the book with one of the names, writing the description in the second column. In the third column, write whether the muchroom is edible or poisonous. Add more mushroom varieties to your chart.

Activity: Draw a picture of the procession as they are leaving the cave. Name those pictured below each figure.

Prediction: Will the soldiers take Ali, Ehmet and his mother to the home of Ali’s cousins?

Read Chapter 18

Activity: Find what a German Mark is worth today compared to the American dollar. How does the currency of Bosnia compare with the dollar today? Why does Ehmet’s mother have German and American money rather than the currency of their country?

Activity: Find out how Aida may have made her blackberry and elder tea.Herbal Teas (Hint: do a "find" on the word "blackberry")Herbal Teas (bottom of page)

Activity: Has anyone in your family taken acetaminophen? Check other names for acetaminophen before you give your final answer.

Rosoff, R. (2004). How I live now. Wendy Lamb Books. ages 14 and over
2005 Winner of the Michael Printz Award, and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, 2004 (UK). The setting is 21st Century England with the main character 15-year old New Yorker, Daisy. Controversial topics include anorexia, telepathy, descriptions of the horror of war, underage sex between cousins (not graphic) and references to other sexual content.